Mary Ann Bauernfeind (front center) is surrounded by her family and other members of the ICCP community. The occasion was Bauernfeind’s election to the ICCP Wall of Honor.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, IC Catholic Prep (ICCP) held its biennial Wall of Honor Award presentation – a key event in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Immaculate Conception Pastor, Very Rev. Thomas Paul, led a special Mass, followed by an award presentation for this year’s ICCP Wall of Honor Award recipient, Mary Ann Bauernfeind.
After Mass, Tim Koch ’76 delivered words of reflection on Bauernfeind’s behalf. She received an engraved crystal cross, and a reception was held in her honor.
“It is evident that Mrs. Bauernfeind’s life’s work and commitment to IC Catholic Prep reflect the heart and spirit of Catholic education,” said ICCP Principal Pamela Levar. “Her devotion to the IC Catholic Prep and Visitation communities is truly inspiring.”
Born in Chicago in 1940, Bauernfeind grew up in the Catholic School system. She attended Blessed Sacrament on the city’s west side until her family moved to Bellwood where she was enrolled at St. Simeon for sixth through eighth grade. The eldest of three sisters, Bauernfeind really wanted to attend IC for high school, but due to the high enrollment numbers, acceptance was restricted to freshman who had siblings at the school already. She attended Trinity High School in River Forest instead and went on to graduate from De Paul University in Chicago with a degree in Elementary Education.
She began her teaching career in the Addison public school system where she remained for 12 years. While teaching in Addison, she met the love of her life, Jim Bauernfeind (Class of 1956). Jim himself was honored as an IC Distinguished Alumni in 2011.
While at home raising their daughters Suzie (’92) and Mary Beth (’93), Mrs. Bauernfeind earned her real estate license and worked at L.W. Reedy here in Elmhurst. She returned to teaching full time at Visitation Grade School in Elmhurst for 15 years until she retired in 2007.
“The choice of a Catholic education is not without tremendous sacrifice,” explained Bauernfeind. “I want these students to go home and hug their parents and thank them for everything they have had to give up to pay forward this wonderful gift.”
Mary Ann Bauernfeind will also be an honored guest at the Annual ICCP Knight of Jewels Gala on Saturday, March 18, 2017. IC Catholic Prep is the oldest Catholic, co-educational college prep high school in DuPage County. Located in Elmhurst, ICCP is a regional high school that serves students from over thirty-five communities in the western suburbs. For more information, please check the web-site at www.ICCatholicPrep.org .
